Connector



y 1940- c. AJORGENSEN commc'ron Filed "0: 1;. 1 8,, 1957 Patented July 23, 1940 UNITED I STATES PATENT OFFICE oomcron Application October'18, 1937, Serial No. 169,547

comm.

tion, Serial No. 11,263, filed March 15, 1935, issued as United States Letters Patent No. 2,117,308, 19 May 17, 1938, and is directed to a design of structure having certain novel and useful advantages not heretofore obtained;

An object of this invention is to provide a connector of this type of such structural formation g .as to permit manufacture thereof on a greatly extended economical basis,.and, at the same time to secure certain additional functional advantages with respect to use and operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide 29 this connector in such fashion that it will be formed with piercing elements designed to obtain a more effective locking action when driven into parts to be secured together. These piercing elements project from the body portion and are pref 25 erably arranged in groups, the grouping of the piercing elements being arranged in a manner to bring the piercing elements of one group in opposing relation to the piercing elements of another group, and also in opposing relation to each 30 other. Consequently, the present invention very efiectively'admits of a cutting of these piercing elements from a blank so that a very substantial saving of material is obtained, that is to say, a very substantial increase in number produced per 35 ton of material used and so that the manner in which this cutting is performed also provides additional functional advantages that are to be particularly evidenced in the way the piercing elements penetrate and interlock with each other.

40 It is found that the form of cutting of these ter and curve in the parts being connected due to the curvature preferably given the tips of the o The inner piercing elements piercing elements. of opposite groups, if they are preferably arranged in groups as described, will tendto cross each other and also cross over from one part to 55 the other and obtain thereby a very strong and eflective interlock within the said parts being secured together.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description' taken in connection with the accompanying drawing-forming a part hereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a detailed'view of two parts joined by a connector made in accordance with the invention disclosed herein;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the connector;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of this connector;

Figs. 4 and 5,illustrate the manner in which the clinching action of the prongs draws the part togetherto produce a tight joint, although these parts may not be.tig-htly held: together at the time the connector is being driven into position.

Fig. 5 further illustrates the curling of the prongs;

Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative use of the connector;

Fig. 7 illustrates the cutting of these connectors from a blank;

Fig. 8 illustrates a single connector cut from a blank but before the prongs are bent;

Fig. 9 is an end view of one of the two sets of outer prongs after bent into position;

Fig. 10 is a similar end view of one set of inner prongs;

Fig. 11 illustrates several connectors being cut from a blank, which connectors comprise an alternative embodiment of certain features of the invention as disclosed;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the type of connector shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an end view of this type of connector; and,

Figs. 14 and- 15 illustrate a modified type of connector herein disclosed. a

The connector shown and described herein is adapted for use in a variety of ways, and particularly for use in joining parts made of penetrable material, such as wood, fiber, composition, or the like. The connector may be provided in different forms depending upon the manner in which it is 5 to be used, and may be driven into place in practically any position with respect to the parts to be connected.

The connector is preferably made of a metal stamping, the design or shape of which is not fixed but may be varied. As illustrated in Figs. 2

and' 3, a series of piercing elements or prongs 2 are formed by cutting along the'edges of body portion l and by bending the metal outwardly. Certain of the piercing elements, such as the inner ones, are bent outwardly from body portion I. Although the outer piercing elements are not formed out of the side edges defining body portion I, they are likewise bent outwardly transversely of the body portion. Any number of piercing elements 2 may be provided,.but, in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, they are arranged in groups, one group being driven into part 8 and theother group being driven in part 9. Parts 8 and 9 are illustrative only of the structural members which may be used to be joined or secured together by the connector disclosed herein.

'It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the'connector is provided adjacent each end with one group of piercing elements. Each end group is then divided into two pair broadly designated as I and II, each of these pair comprising an inner piercing element I2 and an outer piercing element I3. In the forming operation, piercing elements I2 and I9 of each end group are struck out from body portion I in the manner to cause the inner piercing elements I2 to draw or tend to draw parts 8 and 9 together as the connector is driven into place and to cause the outer prongs I3 to anchor body portion I loosely to these parts 8 and 9, while inner prongs I2 are performing their drawing or clinchingaction, this being clearly illustrated in.Figs. 4 and 5.

Furthermore, in the stamping operation the tips I5 of these prongs are curved outwardly,

'with respect to the plane of the piercing elements, for the purpose of causing the piercing elements to enter or penetrate the parts 8 and 9 at an angle to their point of entry. Although in its broadest aspect the invention is directed to a connector having piercing elements arranged in end groups which are divided into one or more pairs. each pair having an inner and an outer piercing element, relatively speaking, which enters parts 8 and 9, securing an unusually strong connection and effectively overcoming strains and stresses acting to separate these parts, I find that independently of this feature of grouping the piercing elements, curving the tips outwardly with respect to the plane of the present elements, as illustrated at I5, causes these piercing elements to penetrate the parts 8 and 9 in a manner aflecting a gripping of the grain or fiber which will more firmly hold them in position. Moreover, arranging the inner and outer prongs I2 and I3, respectively, of each pair so that they will enter the parts 8 and 9 longitudinally of the body portion I, results in a firm gripping action by the connector when it is used to join these parts edgew'ise of each other, as illustrated in the drawing, as distinguished from an arrangement or grouping of piercing elements of a connector used merely to fasten one structural part upon another.

To effect the drawing action on the inner prongs I2, it is preferable to space their tips I5 a greater distance than the distance at their point of juncture with body portion I. To illustrate, distance a between the tips I5 is shown in Fig. 3 to be greater than the distance 1) between the ends of the prongs at the body portion I, so

that, upon penetration of the material, the curved tips I5 will enter at an angle and tend to curl inwardly toward each other, thereby effectively drawing parts 8 and 9 toward each other. 'Inasmuch as outer prongs I3 penetrating the material tend to anchor the body portion I firmly with respect tcLthe position it ultimately assumes when completely driven into place, inner prongs I2 will tend to force parts 8 and 9 tightly together. I believe that the clinching action obtained by this connector is the result of providing a greater distance a between the curved tips I5 of inner prongs I2 than the distance I) between the points where they are struck out from body portion I. I do not wish to be limited to this theory of action, nor do I wish to be limited to this specific type of construction between inner prongs I2 of opposite pairs.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the manner in which the connector will act to draw or clinch parts 8 and 9 together when the connector is driven into position. In Fig. 4 parts 8 and 9 are slightly spaced, as indicated at II when the connector is initially being driven into position. Fig. 5 illustrates how parts 8 and 9 have been drawn or clinched together after theconnector has been driven into position.

The extent of curving the piercing elements will depend upon whether they enter the material transversely of the.grain or fiber or with the grain or fiber. In either case, the prongs 2 will curve sufiiciently to effect a secure gripping action and will compress the fiber sufiiciently to prevent their being accidentally displaced by force or strain tending to separate parts 8 and 9. The fiber will not be sufficiently cut or mutilated but compressed. .As hereinbefore stated, it is found that arranging the piercing elements 2 in end groups having pairs which enter the material longitudinally of body portion I has for its purpose, first, providing inner and outer piercing elements in each pair that oppose each other during penetration and cause the piercing elements to enter or penetrate the material in the most advantageous manner to secure a firm gripping action with the fiber thereof, thereby holding the parts firmly together, and secondly, spacing the curved tips of the inner piercing elements a greater distance apart than the corresponding distance where they join the body portion I to eifect a drawing or clinching action to bring parts 8 and 9 tightly together at their abutting edges It will be understood that the characteristic features of the. present invention with respect to drawing or clinching action as just described, are not to be limited to any particular arrangement of the prongs in groups. One or more pairs of piercing elements may be provided for each group or one or more groups may be used which has any number of piercing elements.

The aforesaid co-pending application, Serial No. 11,263, discloses forming inner prongs I2 from along each edge of body portion I in a manner to provide these inner prongsl2 on one side of body portion I in an end to end relation, that is to say, the inner prongs I2 on each side of body portion I are approximately one-hall. the length of this body portion between opposite end groups of prongs. The present invention proposes to form these inner prongs I2 out of body portion I difierently and obtain thereby a twofold advantage. First, body portion I may be made shorter and therefore stronger. Less material will be required and increased production obtained amounting to many thousands per ton of material used, this depend-ing of course upon the size of the connector. Second, the prongs will be made longer which allows greater penetration and permits penetration of the inner prongs crosswise and into opposite parts being connected. Moreover, the cutting of the prongs in this manner permits a close penetrating relation between inner "prongs of opposite groups and they consequently produce a more effective inter-locking action therebetween with respect to the gripping action between the prongs and the grain.

As illustrated in Fig, 8, inner prongs I! on each side of body portion l are formed by means of a diagonal cut and a longitudinal cut 2!, removing from the blank work strip along each side of that portion which represents body portion] in the finished connector, a. strip of material equal to the width and length of prongs i2. Diagonal cut 20 divides this strip of -material into two triangular prongs that are pointed at their tips, each having a slanting or angular edge. The length of prongs l2 will be therefore equal to distance L indicated in Fig. 8 which represents the length of body portion I between these inner prongs l2 at opposite ends of the connector.

End prongs i3 of each connector are cut from the blank beyond body portion I and in a manner to form at the same time the end prongs l3 of an adjoining connector. A diagonal cut 2i separates end'prongs of adjoining connectors in the same manner as diagonal cut 20' separates inner prongs l2. Theinside material 22 lying between end prongs ill of adjoining connectors constitutes the only waste from the blank in the formation of these connectors. Hence, waste has been reduced to a minimum for the type or character of connector herein disclosed. Also, the amount of material used in a connector has been reduced to a minimum, and, although this material has been appreciably lessened, the strength of the same has been considerably increased. I am aware of the fact that connectors or fasteners of the prior art have been cut from a continuous strip in a manner to minimize waste but in no case have additional functional advantages been obtained, such as shortening the body portion and yet increasing the strength thereof and permitting lengthened prongs that increase the effective inter-locking action, as well as allow an angular cut along one edge of the prongs that bear a direct relation to the effective increased inter-locking action obtained between opposing prongs, as shall now be described.

It will be observed that end prongs l3, shown in Fig. 9, each have a vertical edge 23 and an angular cut edge' 24. The inner prongs l2, as shown in Fig. 10, each have a vertical edge 25' and an angularly cut edge 26. It will be observed that the diagonal cuts 20 and 2| 8 forming inner and outer prongs i 2 and i3 are in the same general direction. Consequently, for a given pair of inner prongs at one end of the connector, the

- angular edge 26 is on the inside for one prong II at opposite ends of the connector have their straight edges 25 and angular edges 26 in opposing relation with respect to each other. These straight edges 25 and angular edges 26 of the same inner prongs i2 of pairs l0. and II are also in opposing relation with respect to the straight edges 23 and the angular edges 24 of their outer prongs i3. Hence, the inner triangular prong l2 andihe outer triangular prong ll of each pair i8 and II do not enter the. same grain of parts 8 and 9 when the connector is driven into position. Gripping different grain, these prongs of each pair ll and ii produce a more efiective and increased interlocking action in their respective parts 8 and I, and prevent any grain separation as the result of prongs lying in close relation entering the same grain.

Referring to Fig. 5 showing a connector driven into position and parts 8 and 9 drawn together in a clinching action by virtue of the manner in which both inner and outer prongs i2 and i3 penetrate, it will be observed that the inner prongs i2 are curved in a direction toward each other so that their tips in effect pass each other without interfering. Due to the shortened body portion I and the fact that inner prongs l2 are of the same length as this body portion, tips l5 of these inner prongs may extend beyond the edge of the part into which they are driven and enter the opposite part, this being clearly shown in Fig. 5. I find that this arrangement provides a more effective and secure inter-locking action.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrated a use for the connector which is slightly different from the use disclosed in Figs. 1, 4-and 5. A nail 21 may be driven through body portion l to enter member 28 to which it is desired to connect member 29.

- portion affords suilicient gripping area. to

prevent the fabric from readily tearing loose, yet providing a firm gripping action which holds the fabric securely in position.

In Figs.'14 and 15, there is illustrated a variant embodiment in the form of a staple including prongs 31 and 38 that may be twisted, somewhat spirally, as illustrated, to reverse the positionsof the side faces 39 and the edges 40, whereby. with .tips ll slightly curved, prongs 31 and 38 penetrate in divergingly opposite directions, as illustrated in Fig. 15, whereby to eflectively grip the material penetrated and prevent the staple from being readily freed. This type of device may be used where it is desirable to connect a single member to or upon a supporting surface or post.

It will be understood that the features of forming prongs 12 from along the edges of body portion I and making these prongs of the same length as this body portion in order to increase production of the number of connectors per ton of material used and to secure thereby astronger connector at the body portion, as well as an increased inter-locking action between the prongs, may be employed in types of connectors other than disclosed herein. Specifically, I wish it to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to any particular grouping of prongs on the connector, and that any arrangement of conditions of service, without eliminating certain features, which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which ,items are intended to be defined and securedto me by the following claims.

each othercomprising a body portion and at least two piercing elements adjacent each end of said body portion .formed transversely of said body portion to cause penetration in a direction longitudinally of said body portion, each part to be connected adapted to beengaged by said two of the piercing elements at each end of said body portion, the innermost of said piercing elements of each end being formed from along the edge of the body portion, each inner piercing element being of a length equal to the distance of the body portion between these said inner piercing elements.

2. A connector of sheet metal adapted to secure a number of parts together edgewise of each other comprising a body portion and at least two piercing elements adjacent each end of saidbody portion formed transversely of said body portion, each part to be connected adapted to be engaged by said piercing elements adjacent each end of said body portion, at least one of said two piercing elements adjacent each end being formed from along the edge of an intermediate portion of said body and of a length equal to the length of said intermediate portion of said body. 4

3. A connector of sheet metal having a substantially flat body portion and a plurality of prongs bent substantially perpendicular on lines transverse of said body portion, said prongs being arranged in pairs longitudinally of said body portion so that each pair enter one of two parts adapted to be connected together thereby edgewise of each other, said body portion bridging said parts when connected together, the contour of said prongs being adapted to spread apart the prongs of each pair in opposite directions with respect to each-other, 'the inner prongs of each pair being of equal length and of a length equal to the body portion between them, said inner' prongs spreading in a direction to overlap each other and to enter the opposite parts being connected.

4. A connector of sheet metal having a substantially flat body portion and a plurality of prongs bent substantially perpendicular on lines transverse of said body portion, said prongs be; ing arranged in group relation to oppose each other when driven into parts to be connected,

aaoaesa two of said opposing prongs being cut from, along one edge of said body portion, each being of a length equal to said body portion lying between the transverse lines along which these said two opposing prongs are perpendicularly bent.

5. A connector of sheet metal having a substantially flat body portion and a plurality of prongs bent substantially perpendicular on lines transverse of said bodyportion, two of said prongs being formed from along one edge of the body portion lying between these said two prongs, each prong being of a length equal to the length of said body portion between said prongs.

6. A connector formed from a strip of sheet metal and having-a substantially flat body portion, and at least two triangularly shaped prongs formed from said body portion along one edge, the pointed tips of said prongs opposing each other, said prongs being of equal length and so cut from said bodwportion as to enter diiierent 'grain of the part into which they are driven.

7. A connector formed from a strip of sheet metal and having a body portion and at least one pair of triangularly shaped prongs adjacent each end bent substantially transversely of said body portion but in longitudinal alignment with each other whereby to enter the part into which they are driven substantially longitudinally with respect to said body portion, said prongs being cut from said strip to provide the tips thereof in ofiset relation to cause the same to enter diiferent grain of said part.

8. A connector formed from a strip of sheet metal comprising a body portion and at least two inner prongs and two outer prongs bent outwardly from said body portion, all said prongs being formed from along one edge of said 'body portion, the prongs being substantially triangular shaped and cut from said edge to cause the tips of each inner prong and its adjacent outer prong to enter different grain of the part into which they are driven.

9. A connector formed from a strip of sheet metal comprising a body portion and a plurality of triangular shaped prongs cut from along one edge of said body portion, the tips of adjacent prongs being offset with respect to each other to cause penetration of said adjacent prongs in diiferent grain of the part or parts into which they are driven.

CLARENCE W. JORGENSEN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,20 3%. July 2;, 19m.

CLARENCE w. JORGENSEN..

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed speoification of the above h'umberedpatent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, firstcolmnn, line 26, I for the word "loosely" read ---securely-- and that the said. Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and ,sealed this 27th day of August, A. D. 191w.

Henry .Van Arls die," (Seatl) Acting commis 'sioner of Patents 

